I just got the video after waiting 10 weeks, and have only done it once. So this is more of a description. I'll update my review after I've done the tape for a while.

This is a Parts video -- from Tortoise and Hare. It's the smoothest and best edited Parts video the FIRM has done. Tracie Long does both the segueys and the instruction, and the transitions are hardly noticeable. The music is a little more upbeat that other FIRM videos, although I don't remember it being too loud or noticeable.

The warm-up is really fun and the stretch is good. You start right out with squats with the barbell (or dumbells), and then go into military press, bicep curls and upright rows with the barbell. Then right into leg presses onto the tall box with the barbell. I don't remember the exact sequences, but you do lunges with the barbell, dips with dumbells, more upper body with dumbells, plie squats with dumbells, pec flys, pushups, French press, tricep kickbacks, lat rows.

I'm not sure if I'm remembering everything. All I know is I couldn't make it through the six sets of leg presses, or even all of the arm reps. This really is a Tough Tape; no aerobic segment 'resting' periods here. And absolutely no floor leg work!

This would be a great total body weight training video if only it contained some ab work. The tape is 48 minutes long, and they could easily have included at least 10 minutes of ab work!

I really like the fact that you stretch throughout the video instead of waiting until the end. There is a good lower body stretch at the end, however.

I plan to do this video at least twice a week, and I think it's intense enough to see results soon. I highly recommend this video to anyone wanting to shape and sculpt those muscles!

Instructor Comments:

OK. So I was having a bad day when I reviewed Tortoise. Tracie Long is actually a great instructor. Her cueing is excellent, and she actually gives a little more form instruction that other FIRM videos, I think.

Joni O

11/30/-0001